Did you know hearing loss can be connected to heart disease?
Heart disease impacts blood flow to the inner ear, which can lead to hearing loss.
EarQ, a nationwide network of values-driven, patient-focused, and forward-thinking independent hearing healthcare providers, provides patients greater access to life-changing hearing devices and services. EarQ shared information explaining the connection between hearing loss and heart disease below.
While you’re already monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol level to protect yourself against heart disease, there’s one more risk factor you need to consider: your hearing.
Researchers have called the ears a “window to the heart” because audiogram patterns correlate with signs of heart issues by showing decreased blood flow to the cochlea, the structure within the inner ear that supports the auditory process.
As sounds travel through the cochlea, they’re converted into neural signals for your brain to process and understand. Over time, disruptions to that process can contribute to a variety of physical, emotional, and mental health concerns. Because hearing loss can occur gradually, the best way to monitor your hearing health is to receive an annual hearing screening.
Women have a special connection to both heart disease and hearing loss and can especially benefit from taking steps to improve their health. In addition to annual screenings, there is a more tasty way to lower your risk of heart disease and hearing loss. Studies have shown that women who eat two or more servings of fish a week have a decreased risk of developing hearing loss, as the omega-3 fatty acids support healthy blood flow throughout the body, including the cochlea.
